Before COVID-19, open source hardware was growing steadily. The pandemic sped up the acceptance of open source hardware solutions worldwide. This includes using 3D printing for open source designs in medical and energy fields. The article looks at best practices in open source scientific designs before the pandemic to help improve future projects. It explores successful applications and suggests a framework for upcoming open source hardware projects. The study categorizes key areas of open source hardware innovation, giving a comprehensive view of the open source hardware landscape.